The house is situated on a relatively small plot of 30×40 (1200 sft) in a dense but leafy neighbourhood of J.P. Nagar (a prominent locality in South Bangalore).We call this the Minimal Indian House – ‘Minimal’, as there is no ostentation or decoration of any kind. Minimalist house design with traditional Indian elements, where the building elements like walls, floors, roof reveals, themselves as it is – walls are in stabilised mud blocks (Smb). Floor is natural Kota and the ceiling are filler slab roofing and the staircase treads are in Fossil Jaisalmer.
Minimalist House Design With Traditional Indian Elements | DESIGN MATTERS
visit : DESIGN MATTERS
The elevation façade is minimal, with staggered balconies and bay windows making it an interesting composition. The balconies are provided with planters so that the creepers can flow down the façade.
‘Indian’ because a lot of design elements are rooted in our tradition-The doors are antique door salvaged from Chettinad, refurbished and reused. The building materials used are native to our country.
The client wanted a ground and first duplex for the parents and second and third floor duplex for themselves. The requirement was challenging as there were numerous requirements but less space to plan the same.
The patterned cnc skylight animates the mud block walls and kota floors with interesting shadow patterns to create a dramatic ever changing effect. The stone and wooden columns are in the traditional design of our temples and ancient buildings.
The ground floor is allotted for the living, dining and a kitchen while the first floor houses two bedrooms with a family room opening out to a terrace. The two levels are connected with a cut out over the dining hence interconnecting the two levels visually.
Floors-Natural Kota stone instead of Vitrified Tiles. Fossil finish natural stone for staircase treads.
Doors-Reclaimed doors from Chettinad-Refurbished and reused. Antique pillars and brick jalis are used as an integral part of the interiors.
The second floor incorporates the client’s living, kitchen and utility and a study/guest room.
While the last level has the master bedroom and the study room
The third and fourth floor levels are connected by a skylit cut out with a leaf cnc pattern. The skylight lights up the kitchen and living and the cnc skylight casts interesting shadow patterns thoughout the day which animates the space.
We have used bay windows for the bedrooms -This extends the bedroom space by creating seating alcoves.
The bay windows and balconies are staggered creating an interesting façade. Projections are created in the SMB Walls to create interesting shadow patterns.
Walls made up of stabilised mud blocks-It has good thermal properties and the interiors will be cooler in summer than conventional buildings. Natural stone walls are used as highlights to break the monotony of SMB Walls
The double height space connects the two levels visually There are hanging lamps at different levels which dramatises the space
The clients were very clear that the building had to be eco friendly in as many ways as possible. Our design solution involved in allotting a corner for the vertical circulation which also had to accommodate a small lift and space for parking and the remaining portion for the main building.
We also designed the interiors for both the houses. The interiors is minimal and functional, embellished by small touches like interesting handle designs and other such details.
Wardrobes were made sliding as the rooms were small. The kitchen cabinets is finished with panelled membrane shutters and natural granite for the counters instead of Quartz
FACT FILE
Designed by : DESIGN MATTERS
Project Type : Residential Interior & Residential Architecture
Project Name : The Minimal Indian House
Location : J.P.Nagar, Bengaluru
Year Built : 2023
Duration of the project : 2 years
Plot Area : 1200 Sq.ft
Built-up Area : 3800 sq.ft
Project Size : 3800 sq.ft
Principal Architect : Ar. Kiran HanumaiahTeam Design Credits : Ar. Harshitha, Ar. Priyanka & Ar. Divya Shankar
Photograph Courtesy : Ajay Devasia
Products / Materials / Vendors : Construction Materials – Stabilised mud blocks, Filler Slab roof / Lighting – Mascon, decorative lights sourced from Chikpet / Doors and Partitions –Kelachandra Sanitaryware –Toto and Grohe / Facade Systems –Kelachandra window systems / Windows – Kelachandra and site finished wooden windows / Furniture – Client Sourced / Flooring – Kota, Jaisalmer marble / Kitchen – Vari Designs / Paint –Asian paints / Artefacts – Client Sourced
Firm’s Website Link : DESIGN MATTERS
Firm’s Instagram Link : DESIGN MATTERS
Firm’s Facebook Link : DESIGN MATTERS
For Similar Projects >> BUNGALOW DESIGN HAS A MODERNISTIC APPROACH, EMBELLISHED WITH TRADITIONAL ELEMENTS
Editor’s Note: Some places feel rooted because they belong to their surroundings rather than trying to stand apart from them. Coffee Sangam in Andhra Pradesh takes this approach through a raw, tactile palette of brick, stone, teak, and mild steel. The random rubble compound wall extends the landscape into the architecture, while the Corten steel […]
Envisioned as a contemporary home rooted in Indian sensibilities, this residence sits on a south-facing urban plot. The design accommodates the evolving lifestyle of a multi-generational family. The project integrates architecture and interiors to create functional, climate-responsive, and emotionally connected spaces. Each level balances privacy with interaction. The design also allows flexibility for changing family […]
Editorial Note: Some homes are shaped by the memories, objects, and stories their residents carry with them. Ungana in Chennai, meaning “merge” in Swahili, brings together a well-travelled family’s collection of antiques and everyday rituals within a narrow urban plot. A double-height living space becomes the heart of the home, connecting the kitchen and dining […]
House of the Framed Atrium explores how a contemporary home can revolve around light, connection, and shared experiences. The design follows the ideas of a Living Atrium, Living with Nature, Framed Volumes, Vertical Living, and Timeless Materiality. The residence connects a sequence of interconnected spaces around a dramatic triple-height atrium. The atrium forms the heart […]
A Mock-up That Became a Home – For an architecture practice, a mock-up often helps test an idea before the team translates it into a larger project. It allows architects to work at full scale, examine materials and construction techniques, and understand their limitations. The process also gives them room to test different brick bonds and […]
The house began not with a formal brief, but with a conversation about the kind of life the clients hoped to build within it. Set between the denser urban fabric of Kannur and the quieter residential landscapes of North Kerala, the project responds to a desire for openness and connection. At the same time, the […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]